Jamie Carragher didn’t pull punches. After Liverpool’s back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, he said the team “are not playing football, they are playing basketball” and argued Florian Wirtz should come out of the starting lineup until the balance returns. He framed it as a temporary reset for a young player still adjusting to the Premier League. His words, clipped and shared widely, have shaped the debate this week.

“Right now, the balance of the team is not right,” added Carragher. “And the obvious one that stands out is Florian Wirtz, who is just not at the races at all. He’s a young boy, coming to a new league, and has plenty of time to go.

“But right now, he needs to come out of the team, Liverpool go back to what they were last season, and try to build some confidence and stability. Right now it looks a mess.”

The context matters. Liverpool spent close to $150 million on Wirtz in the summer, part of a heavy outlay that has left the side looking disjointed in possession and vulnerable when defending transitions. Even sympathetic voices admit the team has lost stability while the new pieces settle in. Curtis Jones has already called for a return to basics, highlighting energy and structure after the flat display in Istanbul.

On output, Wirtz’s numbers are lean so far. That doesn’t make him a failure in October, but the learning curve is clear. His role has yet to click within Slot’s system, and supporters are split on what comes next.

Where to stand on the debate

The conversation around Wirtz is fractured, and three distinct perspectives have emerged.

Some, like, Jamie believe he should be taken out of the side for a short spell. They see Liverpool stretched between the lines, with defensive gaps appearing too often. For them, resting Wirtz would give the midfield a chance to compress, regain control, and then bring him back in once the team has found its balance.

Others argue the issue isn’t Wirtz himself but the framework around him. They expected Slot’s system to lean into his link play, yet the right patterns and triangles haven’t developed. This group wants him to stay on the pitch, with clearer roles and quicker support to unlock his qualities.

A third camp calls for patience. With so many new signings, turbulence was always likely. Pointing the finger at Wirtz alone risks missing the broader tactical reset under Slot.

The coaching decision

So what should Slot do this weekend against Chelsea? His choices aren’t black and white. There’s a middle path that fits the evidence and the mood:

  • Manage his minutes, not erase his role. A controlled rotation instead of a full demotion. Let Wirtz come on for the final half-hour while the starting unit focuses on compactness from the whistle.
  • Simplify his reference points. Assign him a clear starting zone between the lines and a reliable nearby partner. That could speed his passing and help him connect more naturally.
  • Protect the transitions. Pair him with a stronger ball-winner and set firmer defensive cues so his creativity doesn’t leave Liverpool exposed when possession turns.

Who would replace him?

If Wirtz is rotated, Slot still has options. Curtis Jones brings more control and defensive cover, fitting Carragher’s argument for balance.

Ryan Gravenberch adds physicality and vertical running, which could help stretch play while shoring up the middle. Another scenario would see Dominik Szoboszlai shifted slightly higher, freeing space for one of the others to sit deeper. Each option comes with trade-offs, but all share the goal of tightening Liverpool’s shape while Wirtz finds his rhythm.

Verdict

Slot doesn’t need to drop Wirtz completely. He needs to take the stress out of the system. Reducing minutes for now, while sharpening the tactical framework around him, avoids scapegoating a record signing and keeps the project moving forward. If the team steadies defensively and the attack remains flat, the conversation can shift. For the moment, patience with a lighter touch seems the smarter play.